>>4988878I think the key is that it was in moderation. You saw Sera's hardcore independent shows which were many months apart, and once in a blue moon Akane or Kurumi would bust out the lego for something.
Then, Suzu wants an entire series of mixed hardcore matches, there's a mixed deathmatch tournament midsummer, all the FantastICE defenses all of which involve weapons and glass everywhere. It was spread out but also felt condensed due to the timing of everything going on, meanwhile the only other big attractions outside of that were the ace getting a 7th title run and a bunch of people cooling off instead of smartly booking around raising the middle card.
I think the existing fanbase DID have interest in it but it was the fairweather seat fillers who did not. The drawing power of hardcore matches, esp. in joshi, is always dubious at best and it's not because of the idolfag retards who boycott bleeding, it's because people want to see their favorites get built up and grow instead of smash light tubes for pops. I say this as someone who actually likes the stuff, Ice overdid it.
